Business News

Northampton County's controller told members of the County Council Wednesday that Hotel Bethlehem underreported revenues and underpaid hotel room taxes owed to the county over the past two years.

The Small Business Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized local businesses with Excellence in Business Awards on Wednesday at Northampton Country Club.

Few, if any, bridges in Pennsylvania insulate the steel beams in their decks, PennDOT Deputy Secretary Mike Rebert said Wednesday. High-intensity fires capable of destabilizing those bridges are rare, but do happen.

Democrats in Pennsylvania are optimistic that Republicans will finally agree to raise the state's minimum wage after years of debate. A Republican member of the state Senate's leadership team is leading a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, providing hope for a resolution, although challenges remain in the GOP-controlled state Senate.

Cold Nose Lodge, which opened in October 2008, is expanding its location in Alburtis. They'll hold a groundbreaking party on June 26 at the facility.

The Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission recommended approval for the nearly 59-acre Lehigh Valley Town Center project, including its TopGolf component. Township commissioners could give the green light at their July meeting.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors reported home sales dropped 22% in May — normally a busy season. Increased interest rates and tight inventory in Lehigh and Northampton counties were driving the figures, according to GLVR.

A developer is seeking approval for an 868-unit self-storage facility on Hanover Avenue on Allentown's East Side, but the official notice for a zoning hearing advertised 749 units.

The Lehigh County District Attorney's office brought a successful lawsuit against Lowhill Township, arguing they unlawfully appointed supervisor Curtis Dietrich.

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley raised a record $22.6 million in the campaign that ended earlier this year. It supports programs and agencies in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.

Police say the "smash and grab" theft could be part of a bigger national trend.

The combination of supply constraints and the winter season is pushing energy prices up.

Most utilities will be raising electricity prices in December, according to the Pa. Public Utility Commission.

The money will be used to build more than 3 miles of roads as well as pedestrian and cycling paths.

Wolf again urged the Legislature to raise Pa.'s minimum wage to $12 an hour.

The Biden administration official hailed Northampton County's $15M in coronavirus-relief grants to small businesses.

A political action committee with ties to the Bethlehem Landfill is spending heavily in an effort to elect a Republican team of candidates.

Gov. Tom Wolf said Oct. 21, 2021, that employers who receive state loans, grants or tax breaks will be required to pay workers at least $13.50/hour and to provide paid sick leave.

Staffing shortages and hiring incentives already were in play. Then the pandemic hit.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is doling out nearly $2 million in support grants to ramp up booze production and sales.

Merrymead Farm employs about 50 people, down from the typical 120 this time of year.

Labor shortages in the Lehigh Valley were the focus at a recent telephone town hall held by U.S Rep. Susan Wild.